Prosecutors say a La Grange worker charged with sex crimes against children is a serial child molester who was previously sentenced to at least 10 years in Jefferson County for abusing his 5-year-old daughter and niece.

Commonwealth Attorney Courtney Baxter filed records in Oldham Circuit Court earlier this month that indicate Denver Hawkins, 56, of Louisville, has a history of child sex abuse, dating from as early as 1995 when he was convicted of sexually abusing and trying to sodomize two young relatives.

Hawkins was arrested at his La Grange workplace last month on charges he again sodomized, raped and sexually abused a female family member. The girl was reportedly less than 12 years old when the abuse began.

It’s unclear if the victim is one of the same relatives from the 1995 conviction.

Hawkins pleaded not guilty to the crimes.

Court records show Hawkins allegedly threatened to choke the girl if she refused to submit to sexual acts. The victim also told investigators that Hawkins forced her to perform oral sex on him numerous times. She was also coerced into sexual intercourse, the victim testified in court affidavits.